A HOUSEKEEPER who got behind the wheel after drinking a quarter-litre of vodka has been disqualified from driving.

At Furness Magistrates' Court, Elzbieta Barbara Ptasinska, of Stramongate, Kendal, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving.

The court heart how Ptasinska took to the road on the evening of June 3. Around 11.10pm a motorist driving behind her in Windermere Road, Kendal, saw her swerve into the opposite lane.

The driver followed Ptasinska until she stopped and got out of the car. He noticed she was visibly drunk and unsteady on her feet.

Police were called and administered a roadside test, where 88mg of alcohol was detected in 100ml of the defendant's breath. The legal limit is 35mg per 100ml.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending Ptasinska, said his client was "extremely embarrassed" by her actions.

He said: "She was brutally honest with the police about having had vodka to drink. She hadn't felt as much over the limit as she was."

Ptasinska was disqualified from driving for 20 months. She was also fined £180, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.